In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London

Graphics & Graffiti

September 17, 2012

by the gentle author

Bethnal Green 1969

“I’m for Street Art but not the defiling of beautiful things, so I thought let’s look at this period when graffiti had a different kind of expression.” photographer John Claridge said to me, introducing these pictures of graphics and graffiti from the East End, published here for the first time. Before the culture of tagging came from across the Atlantic to dominate the streets, graffiti manifested itself differently, as these political examples – above and below – illustrate.

John does not see any absolute distinction between graffiti and graphics, both are representations of language – whether graven on walls or painted on fascias – and they spoke to him in a symphony of diverse cacophonous voices when he walked these familiar streets “Typography was always around me in the East End, whether I went to the fairground or the market there was always lettering.” he recalled, “So that when I got the job at McCann Erickson at fifteen and met Robert Brownjohn, one of the finest typographers, my eyes were already open to the power of typography, how it communicates on many levels and how it can take you places emotionally.”

In John’s eyes, every piece of graffiti or graphics illustrates the intentions of those who put it there and he delights in interpreting the different sensibilities at play which combine to create the rich visual texture of the streetscape. ”I’ve got some wood type and to use it you’ve got to make decisions, so there’s an underlying meaning to everything, but when lettering is automated you don’t think about it.” he explained to me wryly, taking pleasure in the human quality of typography done by hand and the vibrant culture of marks on the wall that extends back to the earliest cave art.

John Claridge have an eye for the small details most people will pass in the street, I love the stencil window, what an amazing print, but then again why should I be surprised, John is, and will always be the photographer who rules the world.

Thank you Mr Claridge for sharing yet another story with us, I feel very privileged.

Many thanks to you and John Claridge for the photograph of the Laurel Tree on Brick Lane. I’ve come across several examples from 1888 of the coroner using that place as a venue for open inquest before the construction of coroner’s courts. It’s good to see the exterior.

Fantastic series of images, very evocative, a great pictorial history of the location, you wouldnt recognise many of the areas now, it would be great to do a before and after series of images, i find this method to be a wonderfull way of recording social history, especially to show it to people who are not familliar with an area.

They are wonderful pictures John. I think “weddings” is my favourite. Once again you tell the tale of the people who were there at that time and in doing so I am left wondering where they all are now and want to know more of their stories – thankyou. And as an afterthought who remembers Lyons corner house now long since gone,but many happy memories of tea with my Mum so thankyou once again as your pictures bring alive so many memories for me.

Wow! This is great!
Thanks for the picture of the Laurel Tree
I live at number 69 Brick lane and have been looking for information and images for the old Laurel Tree public house before it was turned into my home!
The old pub cellar is now my store room!
Thanks for putting this photo up.
Love, love, love Spitalfields Life!

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Unauthorized use or duplication of these words and pictures without written permission is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Spitalfields Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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